Aug.                                                          INDEX 2.                                  10^th Long Course.

To students 0900

hrs on 16 Aug.                             STAFF COLLEGE QUETTA

1944

INDOOR EXERCISE – JAPANESE IN BATTLE.

NARRATIVE.

1. You are G 3 (I) of an Ind div recently returned to INDIA from ITALY.  Your comd says to you:-

“I think that after fighting him for the last three years we know most of what there is to know about the GERMAN.  In a short time now we shall be fighting the JAP and our first task is to get to know all we can about him.  We’ve got to know the JAP just as well as we know the Hun.

Offrs have got the pamphlet “JAP Mil Forces” and the various supplements but we haven’t yet had a full issue of “JAPS in Battle”.  Nor have all offrs got individual access to WICs and other documents.  I know you have been studying these hard during the last week or two and I want you now to prepare a paper, for issue down to coys, summarising the main pts of JAPANESE characteristics and psychology, so far as they affect the soldier, and the main pts about certain of his tactical methods.

I was talking yesterday to the comd – Div which, as you know, has been fighting the JAP in the recent ops and I have made some notes on certain pts which he says he doesn’t think have yet appeared in any pamphlets.  Here they are.”  (At Appx A)

“In this paper I want you to begin with a summary of the JAP as a soldier generally and then go on to the main pts of his tactical methods in:-

Attack.  (excl any detailed account of night ops).

Defence.

Patrolling.

We will tackle other aspects of his tactics in subsequent papers.

I want this paper to serve as an introduction to a more detailed study, so don’t go into great detail.  About 1500 – 2000 words.  Let me have it by 1830 hrs this evening so that I can discuss it at the bde comds conference tomorrow morning.”

REQUIREMENT.

• The paper you submit to your div comd.  (Individual work)

Papers to be in DS boxes by 1830 hrs 16 Aug.

J.F.W.

Jul 44.

Appx A to INT/10/L.

INDEX 2.

Notes by div comd on pts about JAP characteristics and tactics.

Education.

As good as BRITISH or AMERICAN, but extreme uniformity results in lack of originality and initiative.

Discipline.

Still very good but evidence that it is sometimes resented, particularly by conscripts.  Entries in some captured diaries complaining of inefficiency and harshness of offrs and comds.

Morale.

Very high.  But evidence of some grousing about Allied material superiority particularly in tks and ac.  Morale of individual units and fmns has at times been badly shaken by defeat.  Evidence of special orders and pep talks by comds.

Attitude towards capture.

Generally remains as before but some instances of JAPS making no very determined effort to avoid capture, and of PW being extremely happy when refused permission to commit Hari-Kiri.

The tone of certain diaries indicates not so much the desire to surrender but a sort of resigned attitude to an inevitable death, whose glory has grown slightly tarnished.

General Weakness.

JAP has stereotyped mind.  Goes on doing things in the same way.  Has produced nothing new so far.  Takes a long time to make a new plan if one goes wrong.

Adv to Contact.

Previously, his first reaction has been to begin immediate enveloping or flank attack.  But on a number of occasions recently he has first tried a series of heavy frontal attacks and started enveloping only if these failed.

Attack.

Has been going in more for heavy frontal attacks.  Attacks carefully prepared but often crudely executed.  Gains success by application of two principles, maint of objective and conc of force.  Repeatedly attacks same objective – massed fmn regardless of cas.

Now uses more arty – usually goes in for long periods of slow fire as opposed to hy conc immediately before an attack.

Def.

JAP still very tenacious in the defence.  Sometimes careless, giving us a chance to surprise him.  Applies also to patrols, is frequently casual about local security precautions.

Siting and concealment of posns very good but actual digging not always so good.  Sticks to thick country if possible and likes villages as def areas.

Gen.

Uses tks boldly in close cooperation with inf.  Excellent use of hull down posns.  Moves into posn in darkness and cleverly cam before light.

Often slow to follow up a withdrawal.  Therefore generally simple to break contact if desired.